The nature of wisdom

Some years ago when I experienced the pain of grief I thought it would be better to die. I felt so utterly alone and abandoned, drowning in shame and self-loathing. Yet, in that moment of desperation I reached out for a higher perspective on my suffering. Not a spiritual perspective exactly. More a way of seeing and understanding the context of what I was enduring.

Thus began my quest to understand the nature of wisdom.

Richard Rohr, American Franciscan priest and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, talks about how, in our happy, positive society, we tend to ignore or try to stifle grief and pain. But in sitting with pain and grief, there is wisdom because those emotions can be powerful teachers.

I have discovered the value of wisdom lies in acknowledging my emotions at the moment of choice, but not letting them drive me. The skill is to listen to what emotions are signalling to me without becoming overwhelmed.